Fr. Amorth: “The world must know that Satan exists..."

Catholic News Agency has a piece about Fr. Gabriele Amorth, chief exorcist of Rome:

“The world must know that Satan exists,” he told CNA recently. “The devil and demons are many and they have two powers, the ordinary and the extraordinary.”

The 86-year-old Italian priest of the Society of St. Paul and official exorcist for the Diocese of Rome explained the difference.

“The so-called ordinary power is that of tempting man to distance himself from God and take him to Hell. This action is exercised against all men and women of all places and religions.”

As for the extraordinary powers used by Satan, Fr. Amorth explained it as how the Devil acts when he focuses his attention more specifically on a person. He categorized the expression of that attention into four types: diabolical possession; diabolical vexation like in the case of Padre Pio, who was beaten by the Devil; obsessions which are able to lead a person to desperation and infestation, and when the Devil occupies a space, an animal or even an object.”

Fr. Amorth says such extraordinary occurrences are rare but on the rise. He's particularly worried by the number of young people being affected by Satan through sects, séances and drugs. He never despairs though.

“With Jesus Christ and Mary, God has promised us that he will never allow temptations greater than our strengths.”

Hence he gives a very matter-of-fact guide that everybody can use in the fight against Satan.

“The temptations of the Devil are defeated first of all by avoiding occasions (of temptation), because the Devil always seeks out our weakest points. And, then, with prayer. We Christians have an advantage because we have the Word of Jesus, we have the sacraments, prayer to God.”

Not surprisingly, ‘Jesus Christ’ is the name Fr. Amorth most often calls upon to expel demons. But he also turns to saintly men and women for their heavenly assistance. Interestingly, he said that in recent years one man – Blessed Pope John Paul II – has proved to be a particularly powerful intercessor.

Read the entire piece. Fr. Amorth is the author of two books published by Ignatus Press: An Exorcist Tells His Story and An Exorcist: More Stories. An excerpt from the first can be read on Ignatius Insight:

Comments

[Ed Peters]

Why does Fr Amorth (a) ask unnecesary questions of demons at all; (b) assume the answers they give him are truthful; and (c) so casually publish the fact that he has done so?

[peter l]

The extracts from this mans book seem fascinating.I have often wondered how an Angel like Lucifer,who was granted so much power and trust by God himself could not be content with this.How can it possibly be that anyone could not be content with being with our Lord in Paradise.?

I know lucifer's downfall was his pride but surely he couldnt expect to win his battle with God.I dont know if this mans book will explain this but i will certainly check to see if Amazon UK will have it in stock,i live in Northern Ireland.I read The Exorcist many years ago,the movie seemed mild compared to the book,lots of lethargic Catholics became very good attendees of Mass and Confessions after reading the book or seeing the movie lol.

Thanks for the head up on this book.